WHAT: Kona teens enrolled in Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii (PATH) Wheelin’ Free Summer Multisport Camp to curb underage drinking and substance abuse will host a free community duathlon (run-bike-run) event consisting of a half-mile run, three-mile bike and half-mile run followed by a potluck picnic where they will share their camp experiences with friends, family and the greater community.

WHEN: 10:30 a.m.-noon Friday, June 17

WHERE: Old Kona Airport Park, north end of Makaeo Pathway under monkey pod trees

WHO: Laura Dierenfield, Executive Director, and Rick Rubio, Education and Events Coordinator

WHY: North Kona teens suffer from high rates of early experimentation with alcohol and substance abuse, leading to increased risk of homicide, suicide, traffic fatalities, traumatic injury, drowning, burns, violent and property crime, high risk sex, fetal alcohol syndrome, alcohol poisoning, and need for treatment for alcohol abuse and dependence.

Early intervention with evidence-based programs help delay the age of experimentation and curb theses cascading negative impacts to themselves and society as a whole.

Wheelin’ Free is an active living program focused on preventing underage drinking and delaying substance abuse among youth 12 to 17 years old in North Kona through an evidence-based life skills curriculum partnered with a variety of active living experiences including running, bicycling, hiking, mountain bicycling and skateboarding.

PATH delivers this program through a series of week-long camps free to students 12 to 17 years old.

Every Friday, students welcome their families and the greater community to participate in a Wheelin’ Free “Great Adventure” designed to encourage family and community involvement in the lives of Kona teens.

BACKGROUND: The Wheelin’ Free program is funded by the County of Hawaii’s Office of the Mayor and the State of Hawaii Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services. PATH is a community based bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organization formed in 1986 to improve the health, safety and livability of Hawaii County through the creation of pathways and bikeways that connect the community.

— Find out more:
www.pathhawaii.org